"Ears" - The sensory organs responsible for hearing and maintaining balance in most vertebrates, including humans. They consist of external structures (pinnae) that capture sound waves and funnel them into the ear canal, where they reach the eardrum. Behind the eardrum, a chain of small bones (ossicles) transmit vibrations to the cochlea, a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear. The cochlea converts these vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, allowing us to perceive sound. Additionally, ears play a crucial role in our sense of balance, thanks to specialized structures called semicircular canals.